Filipinos celebrate 119th Independence Day
Filipinos on Monday celebrated the 119th anniversary of independence from Spanish rule, with focal points at several historical sites around the country.
At Rizal Park in Manila, the Independence Day celebrations were led by Vice President Leni Robredo and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.
UPDATE: Sa halip na si Pang. Duterte, sina Vice Pres. @lenirobredo at Sec. @alanpcayetano ang mangunguna sa flag-raising ceremony sa Luneta. pic.twitter.com/T32nAnfYLG
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 12, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte was supposed to attend the event, but skipped it as he was too tired from staying up late, Cayetano said.
At Bonifacio Shrine in Caloocan City, the flag-raising ceremony was led by Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano Del Castillo.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano Del Castillo dumating na sa Monumento mi Andres Bonifacio @dzbb pic.twitter.com/jgsUlLSFeK
— Allan Gatus (@allangatus) June 11, 2017
Pagtataas ng Watawat sa Andres Bonifacio Monument sa Caloocan City @dzbb pic.twitter.com/sd7hAXIbn9
— Allan Gatus (@allangatus) June 12, 2017
Red and blue balloons were also released as part of the celebrations.
Nagpalipad ng mga lobo sa Bonifacio Monument bilang bahagi ng 119th na paggunita ng Araw ng Kasarinlan @dzbb pic.twitter.com/wDhRKUafxG
— Allan Gatus (@allangatus) June 12, 2017
Festivity was also in the air in Kawit, Cavite, where Philippine independence was first proclaimed in 1898.
Puspusan na ang paghahanda sa Aguinaldo Shrine sa Kawit Cavite para sa pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Kalayaan. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/cC0w95nNib
— James Agustin (@_jamesJA) June 11, 2017
The Kawit, Cavite celebrations were led by Senator Panfilo Lacson and Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo.
Pagtataas ng watawat ng Pilipinas sa Aguinaldo Shrine sa Kawit, Cavite na pinangunahan ni Sen. Panfilo Lacson. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/N8Az08Ms6A
— James Agustin (@_jamesJA) June 12, 2017
Flowers were also offered at the grave of former President Emilio Aguinaldo.
WATCH: Pag-aalay ng bulaklak sa puntod ni dating Pang. Emilio Aguinaldo sa Aguinaldo Shrine sa Kawit, Cavite. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/cuhvYkk9tW
— James Agustin (@_jamesJA) June 12, 2017
Despite the ongoing crisis in Marawi City, the Philippine flag was still raised at the provincial capitol of Lanao del Sur.
LOOK: Watawat ng Pilipinas sa Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, naitaas na ngayong Araw ng Kalayaan. | via @Benjielite pic.twitter.com/YsNXnjwgUi
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 12, 2017
Malacañang by 12 noon will pay tribute to the soldiers and innocent victims who were killed in Marawi City, as part of the commemoration of Philippine independence. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News
Need a wellness break? Sign up for The Boost!
Stay up-to-date with the latest health and wellness reads.
Please enter a valid email address
Your email is safe with us